emblem3

It’s another double elimination on The X Factor. If the FOX show factored in iTunes sales like The Voice, Jeff Gutt, Restless Road and Alex & Sierra wouldn’t be in any danger of leaving. Gutt hit #5 on iTunes rock chart, Restless Road peaked at #2 on the country chart and Alex & Sierra topped iTunes main singles chart. Their “Say Something” cover even bested A Great Big World and Christina Aguilera’s original version.

Even more impressive is the fact all the downloads were live performances and not studio ones like The Voice releases. Sufficed to say, it’s the best showing for any performance ever on The X Factor. Could that be enough for FOX to renew the show? It certainly makes things more interesting.

In other non-eliminated happenings, Little Mix and Emblem3 engaged in a battle for X Factor supremacy. While the Emblem3 guys are decent eye candy, they were no match for the sassy quartet from the UK. From their vocals to their choreography, everything was tight. I absolutely love these girls. If you haven’t purchased their latest album, Salute, you should (UK release only). It’s EVERYTHING. They’re a modern day All Saints meets Destiny’s Child with a dash of En Vogue realness.

Earlier this week, Fifth Harmony bypassed Emblem3 as the highest-charting Billboard Top 200 act from the US edition of The X Factor. Perhaps thats why the trio decided to film this video while on the road with Selena Gomez on her Stars Dance Tour. After all, sex sells. Even to tweens.

Wesley Stromberg, Keaton Stromberg and Drew Chadwick wear some animal costumes while they lip sync to the viral hit, “The Fox.” Naturally, mandatory shirtless scenes are included in their parody which they debuted on Ryan Seacrest’s show. As an aside, is everyone still loving “The Fox” or should it retire like “Gangnam Style?” Sound off below.

“We thought the Ylvis song was genius!” Wesley Stromberg said on Ryan Seacrest. “We were always playing it backstage to psych us up for the show and figured if we’re always rockin’ out to it, why not just tape it and share with our fans!”

When it comes to ranking celebrities, Forbes isn’t the only game in town. Billboard just revealed a list of their own. The music publication ranked the Top 21 musical acts under the age of 21. Given the number of musicians discovered by Simon Cowell, Billboard should really consider renaming their annual list in his honor. His acts bookend the list, with a couple sandwiched smack-dabbed in the middle.

If you’re like me, you’ve only probably heard of a few of them. That is unless you’re actually under 21. Check out which minor is a major player in Billboard’s eyes. Find out how One Direction, Miley Cyrus, Fifth Harmony, Lorde, Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber, Cher Lloyd and others rank. I’ve also embedded music videos from each act to familiarize yourself with their work.

Forget Chloe! Drew Chadwick is the one that I want. When the broad-shouldered member of Emblem3 appeared on The X Factor, I found him so douchey, I couldn’t stand him. He’s probably still as douchey, but it’s amazing what a little scruff and a striped tee instead of his go-to tanks can do for a boy’s image. Because now, he’s smokin’ hot. Simon Cowell, you’ve done good ;)

If you weren’t a fan of Emblem3 before, you probably won’t be after checking out their music video for “Chloe (You’re The One I Want).” It’s tailor-made for their teeny bopper fans and lecherous old men like myself. I kid. I’m not that old ;)

The Ray Kay-directed clip features the Huntington Beach trio fooling around in their glitzy dressing room while “beige” girls are ignored/teased by the mean girls in alternating vignettes. In the end, the less-than-popular girls get their revenge as they’re the ones to join Emblem3 on stage, while those snooty bitches get turned away by the bouncers. Check out the clip below.

Next to Fifth Harmony, Emblem3 was the other act I was rooting for on the second season of The X Factor. Sure Drew Chadwick aka the broad shouldered one was beyond douchey with his assortment of tank tops and gratuitous flexing, but there was something appealing about the three of them. Keaton Stromberg’s Tourette’s-looking dance moves were adorable and older bro Wesley was just cute period. Given their appeal to the tween demo, not surprisingly Simon Cowell signed them immediately. The Brit knows he has a cash cow when he sees one.

The Huntington Beach trio debuted their first single during On-Air with Ryan Seacrest. “Chloe (You’re The One That I Want)” is exactly what you’d expect from them. It’s poppy fun and in the vein of Blink 182, LFO, Sum 41 and all those other trio boybands from the early 2000s. The track tells a tale of a girl named Chloe with a really hot sister, but it’s Chloe they pine after and not the one everyone wants. Take a listen below.

As I’m typing this, my fingers are literally shaking. I want so badly for Fifth Harmony to make it. So much so, I actually voted last night for the first time this season. Here’s hoping my 15 votes made the difference ;)

Speaking of my favorite girls, it’s kinda hilarious Bruno Mars is on deck tonight. After all, it’s because of his sisters that Fifth Harmony had to change their name twice- LYLAS and 1432. Would the Mars family again be responsible for “locking them out of heaven”? Let’s get to the results. BTW. Some teen chick named Bridgit Mendler wearing glittered shorts performed, making me wish T. Swift was here instead ;)

It’s The X Factor Season 2 semifinals and finally the decision is out of the judges’ hands. There’s no singing for survival on tomorrow’s results show and no deliberation by the panel. It’s all about America’s votes. Here’s hoping the public makes the right call.

Each act performed two songs a piece. One of their choice and the other chosen by their mentor. Personally, I thought the contestants collectively fared better when the decision was in their hands. I don’t feel any of their mentors did them any favors and in Simon’s case, I thought he hindered more than assisted. Check out all the performances below.

This week’s X Factor results episode was brought to you by Sony X Headphones. As if the Pepsi sponsorship wasn’t in your face enough, Simon Cowell is now pimping out Sony products. He even forced asked the Top 6 to praise the superior quality of the headphones which apparently he had a hand in their development evolution. Yay, right. That said, they do look pretty sexy and I want a pair. Simon, I expect my pair in the mail before Christmas.

On deck as filler for the episode were reigningX Factor champion Melanie Amaro and trash-pop innovator Ke$ha. I have to give Amaro credit. She really sold “Long Distance” with her live performance. I enjoyed it much more this time than the first time I heard it. Girlfriend was working that long side blond pony like her rent was due. To be honest, it is due. Melanie needs a hit stat. Otherwise, she might find herself back in Sunrise, Florida working on that island accent of hers *wink*.

Ke$ha performed “C’mon” from her Warrior album. Accompanying her were a quartet of crop-wearing male dancers wearing tiger heads. God love Ke$ha. Personally, I like “Die Young” better, but I’m sure “C’mon” will grow on me as with many of her songs. Note to production: They might want to check the pedestal Ke$ha was performing on for STDs. Girl was writhing on it like nobody’s business. I’m sure a drop or two of her juices leaked out. LOL. As expected, glittered confetti came fluttering down midway through her number. Without further ado, let’s get to the eliminations.